Light socket



Jan. 13, 1942.

D. T. MITCHELL LIGHT SOCKET Filed April 19, 194i Patented Jan. 13, 1942 1 Claim.

My invention relates to light sockets provided with the bayonet type of groove, and has reference more particularly to the outer shell, and specifically to the means in such shell for mounting it on a suitable bracket.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive outer open type of shell, having shell mounting means which are adapted to draw the open edges of the shell together.

In the appended drawing forming part of this application,

Figure l is a top plan view of a single contact socket embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is an elevation of the socket,

Figure 3 is an elevation at right angles to that of Figure 2, partially in section on lines 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the socket,

Figure 5 is a top plan View of a double contact socket, and

Figure 6 is an elevation partially in section on line 66, Figure 5.

Referring to the drawing, particularly Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, I0 is an open shell formed out of a blank, having arms H and I2, at opposite ends, said arms being so arranged that there is a pair of spaced arms, II, at one end to permit the arm I2 on the other end of the blank to pass therebetween when the blank is shaped into a sleeve. Arms II and I2 at the extremity thereof are looped, as shown at I3, to provide resilient clip like members which would yieldingly engage a flat bar, not shown, which generally is the support for such type of sockets.

Positioned within the shell It! is a spring I4, the lower end of which engages lug I5, formed in the lower edge or the shell II). The upper end of the spring carries a washer I5 of insulated material, the motion of which under the action of the spring is limited by prongs I! formed in the sides of the shell Ifl.

Anchored to the central part of the Washer I6 is a wire l8. The shell I0 above the washer I6 is provided with the bayonet slots I9 for engaging and retaining therein a bulb, not shown.

In Figures 5 and 6 the outer shell III has the arms II' and I2, provided with the clips I3,

the shell together,

its bottom lugs I5 carry an insulated washer 20 through the opening 2|, of which two wires 22 and 23 pass. The wire 22 is connected to an insulated Washer 24, which is housed in an inner metallic shell 25, which metallic shell 25 is insulated from the outer shell ID, by an insulated sleeve 26.

The inner shell 25 carries a spring 21, the lower end of which rests on lugs 28, formed on the lower edge of the inner shell 25, while the upper end bears against the insulated washer 2d, the motion of the washer 24 within the shell 25, being limited by prongs 29. The wire 23 is connected to the inner shell 25, said inner shell being provided with the customary bayonet slots 26.

Thus a two wire socket is formed, by the construction described, in which the outer shell, as far as its means for attaching to the support is concerned, is identical with that described for the single wire shell.

When either of those sockets are being mounted on a support, by engaging the loops or clips I3 with the support, the arms are forced to separate and thereby drawing the open edges of in consequence gripping tightly the elements forming the socket located within the outer shell.

From the above description it will be seen that in my socket the outer shell may be said to have crossing arms provided at the extremity thereof, with means for mounting it on a suitable support, which means when engaging said support will cause the edges of the normally open shell to be drawn towards each other.

I claim:

In a light socket of the class described, an outer shell formed of a blank presenting cross ing arms when the blank is shaped into a shell open longitudinally at the arms, said shell having stops at one end thereof formed by lugs projecting inwardly of the shell, said arms having yielding means at the extremities thereof for engaging a fiat support so that the edges of the open shell are drawn towards each other when the armsengage a support.

DOUGLAS T. MITCHELL. 

